Atheism Quote by Terry Pratchett
“No it's not!" said Constable Visit. "Atheism is a denial of a god." "Therefore It Is A Religious Position," said Dorfl. "Indeed, A True Atheist Thinks Of The Gods Constantly, Albeit In Terms of Denial. Therefore, Atheism Is A Form Of Belief. If The Atheist Truly Did Not Believe, He Or She Would Not Bother To Deny.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld series, "The Fifth Elephant", 1999
The dialogue satirically argues that atheism, by denying a deity, still functions as a belief system, implying it is a religious stance.
In simple terms: Atheism is presented as a belief because it denies a god.
Key Takeaway
Question the definition of belief.
Themes
philosophy
religion
skepticism
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
satirical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- debate clubs
- philosophy classes
- online forums
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
belief systems
paradox
semantic analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Is denying something a belief?
- How do definitions shape arguments?
A Different Perspective
The argument may conflate denial with belief, oversimplifying atheism.
